November 2023 Collection

Canyon shadows

seven paintings Inspired by white rock and Diablo Canyons

In November 2023, I saw two canyons in New Mexico — Diablo Canyon from the ground looking up, and White Rock Canyon from above looking down. The rugged canyons drew me inward, while the dark shadows over the land reminded me this was a new, unknown place to me. The push-pull of age-old canyons and fleeting shadows inspired this set of paintings.

Diablo Sky

40"x30" • acrylic on canvas • $4,200

Walking into Diablo Canyon, I was enveloped by an enormous shadow, but I could see brighter cliffs behind it. The canyon walls slanted in on both sides and appeared to cradle the sky.

Diablo Canyon entrance

16”x20" • acrylic on canvas • $1,250

The iconic entrance of Diablo Canyon as I approached it for the first time. The swaying plants all seemed to point toward the entrance, which was dark at this time of the day.

black mesa, from white rock

20”x16” • acrylic on canvas • $1,250

From the overlook at White Rock Canyon, I could see Black Mesa in the distance. The cliffs on either side appeared to have parted for it.

White Rock, Blue Light

20”x16” • acrylic on canvas • $1,250

When I took in the view of White Rock Canyon the day after Thanksgiving, the thing I noticed the most was a bright blue light that seemed to come from the ground. I’m not sure what caused the light, but I was excited to capture it on canvas.

Diablo Canyon Cliff Face

20”x16” • acrylic on canvas • $1,250

As I walked through Diablo Canyon, the shadow on the side of the cliff rose higher and higher until there was just a thin gold strip of rock against the sky.

White rock canyon

20”x16” • acrylic on canvas • $1,250

The Rio Grande appeared very bright in the deep blues and greens of White Rock Canyon in late November.

Diablo Canyon

72"x56" • acrylic on canvas • $12,000

This is my largest painting of the series — in fact, my largest painted canvas to date — of the Diablo Canyon entrance. I took this photo on my way out of my hike looking back, and chose to paint it for the striking shadow across the right cliff face, and bright gold of the ground in front of the path.

I am currently seeking gallery representation for this collection in Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Please contact me if you are interested in showing this work.